What is Asthma?
By definition Asthma is a long-term condition that causes inflammation, swelling, and tightening of the airways, making it hard for air to flow through the lungs. Symptoms are shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, and coughing. The triggers can include allergens, but also non-allergic factors like cold air, exercise, respiratory infections (colds/flu), smoke, and emotional stress.
The Connection: Allergic Asthma
The link between the two is so strong that up to 80–90% of children and 60% of adults with asthma also suffer from allergies. When an allergic reaction directly triggers asthma symptoms, it is called allergic asthma or allergy-induced asthma. Inhaling allergens like pet dander, pollen, or mold can immediately trigger asthma symptoms. In these cases, the same substance that causes a runny nose also causes the lungs' airways to inflame and tighten.
How Bowen Therapy Can Help Allergies and Asthma
Bowen Therapy is a natural and gentle way to manage allergy and asthma symptoms. The Bowen moves act directly through (the nerves in the fascia onto) the nervous system by relaxing and soothing it, which in turn relaxes and releases the tension in the diaphragm allowing to inhale and exhale more freely and therefore breathe easier. While it is not a cure for asthma or allergies, many practitioners and clients report that it can significantly help manage symptoms and reduce the body's over-reactivity. Bowen Therapy sessions helps to:
Improve breathing
Reduce the number and severity of attacks and their severity
Reduce the sensitivity to the triggers
Relaxe the nervous system shifting the body from a "fight-or-flight" (sympathetic) state to a "rest-and-repair" (parasympathetic) state, which may reduce the intensity of asthma attacks especially triggered by stress or anxiety.
Improve the body's drainage and immune regulation to unblock channels to clear congestion and help the immune system become less reactive to common allergens like pollen or dust.
Reduce physical tension and tightness in the body from coughing and wheezing
Help people respond better to the medication when needed
May reduce the need for medication
I like to teach my clients how to perform a small Bowen emergency move they can do themselves when they feel a tightness beginning to build so they manage the condition themselves. This move is also excellent for hiccups or coughing, even anxiety or panic attacks to help relieve and tight chest and normalize breathing.
Research Study on efficacy of Bowen Therapy in managing Asthma
A National Research program (between October 2002 to March 2004) was launched to determine the efficacy of The Bowen Therapy in the treatment of the Asthma condition. The research was carried out over a twelve month period. The research was aimed at recording any changes in the Volunteer’s symptoms in terms of frequency, severity of attacks and reliance on medication.
The majority of 24 volunteers had been suffering from Asthma over 5 years, most for over 15 years. The results were very positive.
83% reported a reduction in the frequency of their asthma attacks
75% reported a reduction in the severity of their attacks
75% reported using less medication than before the Bowen Research project.
Of the 24 volunteers who completed the program, 22 reported that secondary health concerns had also improved, including back, neck and shoulder problems; knee and joint problems; headaches and migraines; hay fever; irritable bowel syndrome and digestion; circulation; insomnia; anxiety, stress, depression and energy level improvement.
The outcomes of the study are highly encouraging, as indicated by the unanimous recommendation from every Volunteer to suggest the Bowen Therapy to other individuals with Asthma. Unlike treating a particular ailment in isolation, Bowen Therapy influences the individual’s integrated biodynamic system. Since Asthma can be triggered by a multitude of factors such as emotional distress, stress levels, exercise, food, and environmental allergens, it is crucial to consider a holistic therapy like Bowen as a viable alternative for enhancing the well-being of Asthma patients.
Asthma Success Stories
Girl, 2 years old, 4 Bowen Therapy treatment. At her first treatment she was very wheezy and had been prescribed steroids, which her mother was reluctant to use. Both parents smoke. The wheezing reduced after the first treatment and has now disappeared, though there was a period of mucus being produced. Her breathing has improved after 4 treatments, so much so that the school have commented on it. The steroids were discontinued before the first treatment. It is very difficult to treat a two-year-old child who is sitting and squirming on her mother's knees. However, it seemed to work well despite those difficulties. Normally, the child has had asthma attacks every two weeks or so during the winter. She has had none for over two months now. Her mother wrote: "My 2.5 year old daughter has suffered from asthma and also an over-production of mucus from birth. She has Ventolin and also Becotide on occasions. In November 1999, her asthma worsened and the GP advised restarting steroids at a higher dose. She took a severe reaction to steroids so we stopped them immediately. That week she received her first Bowen and has had treatment once or twice a month since. She has not needed any medication since; she has a very slight period of wheezing occasionally which is managed with essential oils. It has been a remarkable improvement, particularly as she is a lively two year old who doesn't always stay still for the treatments." Signed BC - Feb 2000
Boy, 6 years old, 1 Bowen Therapy treatment. Jacobs' asthma was worsening and his mother did not tell him that his visit to a Bowen therapist was connected to his breathing problems. As he is normally quite a stubborn little boy and wary of anything new, his mother was surprised when he accepted the treatment and did as he was told. The next evening, when she reminded him to take his usual dose from his inhaler, he announced: "I don't need my puffer any more". He then enjoyed a summer free of asthma, including hour-long football practices with his brother, and a mountain-biking holiday.
Girl, 8 years old, 3 Bowen Therapy treatments. Suffers with asthma and chest infections. She was small for her age and had a poor appetite. She had 3 inhalers: 5 puffs of one twice a day; 3 of another twice a day and the last one every 4 hours. Distressed with the amount of medication Fiona was taking, her mother was looking for an alternative and discovered The Bowen Therapy. After one treatment, Fiona became full of life, energetic, hungry and didn't need the last 4 hourly inhaler. At the end of treatment 3, she was off all inhalers, had grown, was still full of life and hungry. At a routine check-up with the GP, just after Bowen treatment 3, he immediately picked up the difference. The bright, alert look in her eyes, weight and height gain, clear, good, strong breathing. He was so pleased he wanted Bowen information to give to other patients.
Boy (teenager), 2 Bowen Therapy treatments. A teenager, Kirk had had asthma, a constant backache and severe 'morning motivational' problems for years. He often had problems getting to sleep, but after a 6.30 p.m. treatment he fell sound asleep till next morning. After two sessions he complained of little result, but carried on. After the third treatment, he drank a lot of water and has not looked back. His backache and asthma are gone and, amazingly, for the first time in his life he is experiencing a sustained motivation to get up and going in the mornings
Girl, 17 years old, 1 Bowen Emergency treatment.Junior Basketball Team Member, Katey, was involved with the multistage fitness test used to analyze an athlete's aerobic performance. A standard is expected at this level and the peer pressure to achieve the necessary grade is immense. Katey was struggling for breath soon into the test causing some concern early on. Determination kept her going until she had to stop because she could not gain a breath at all and had commenced a panic attack, which complicated the situation. Katey was removed from the concerned crowd and the Bowen emergency asthma move carried out. Immediately a normal breathing pattern resumed and after 30 minutes Katey carried on training with no further symptoms.
It is recommended to consult with a qualified Bowen Therapist to create a personalized plan.
